Alfred North Whitehead

Our minds are finite, and yet even in these circumstances of finitude we are surrounded by possibilities that are infinite, and the purpose of life is to grasp as much as we can out of that infinitude. ”

The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato. ”

The total absence of humor from the Bible is one of the most singular things in all literature. ”

Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking of them. ”

No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. ”

Knowledge shrinks as wisdom grows. ”

Periods of tranquility are seldom prolific of creative achievement. Mankind has to be stirred up. ”

True courage is not the brutal force of vulgar heroes, but the firm resolve of virtue and reason. ”

I have always noticed that deeply and truly religious persons are fond of a joke, and I am suspicious of those who aren't. ”

Speech is human nature itself, with none of the artificiality of written language. ”